The Course

Our MSc by Research in Life Sciences is a dedicated programme which is designed to enable students to further develop their research skills by focusing on a specialist project.

Our MSc by Research provides an opportunity for students from biological subjects to begin research in life sciences. Research may be conducted in a broad range of topics. As a researcher in the School, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with academics working on studies and projects.

The School undertakes research at molecular, cellular, organism and population levels in order to answer fundamental questions in molecular biology and biomedical science, forensic science and microbiology, animal and plant biology, and evolution and ecology.

The Course

Our MSc by Research in Life Sciences is a dedicated programme which is designed to enable students to further develop their research skills by focusing on a specialist project.

Our MSc by Research provides an opportunity for students from biological subjects to begin research in life sciences. Research pathways are available in biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, ecology, animal behaviour, animal science, zoology, and microbiology. As a researcher in the School, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with academics working on studies and projects.

The School undertakes research at molecular, cellular, organism and population levels in order to answer fundamental questions in molecular biology and biomedical science, forensic science and microbiology, animal and plant biology, and evolution and ecology.

Research is conducted within six substantial research groups. Scientists in Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare explore the causes, functions and evolution of animal behaviour and the impact this has on animal welfare.

Those in Evolution and Ecology examine population dynamics and evolutionary processes at all levels of biological organisation. Researchers in Drug Design and Delivery focus on the application and efficacy of novel therapeutics, while academics working in Molecular Basis of Disease aim to understand disease at a molecular level in order to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Example Research Areas:

Management of Native River Fish

Forensic Analysis of Burnt Bones

Public Perception of Dog Breed Types.

Example Research Projects:

Peptide-guided drug delivery

Cognitive phylogenetics in parrots

Sexual selection dynamics in humans

Protein Biochemistry with the development of cardiovascular disease

Reconstruction of patterns of habitat colonisation using genetic methods.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of your time will be spent in independent study and research. You will have meetings with your academic supervisor, however the regularity of these will vary depending on your own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability and the stage of your programme.

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

**Estimated RCUK fee for 2019/20. The University of Lincoln sets its fees in line with the Research Councils UK (RCUK) research fee support level. For home students commencing in 2019 this will be set early in the New Year. The indicative fee level from RCUK for 2018/19 is £4,260. For 2019 this fee is expected to increase in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator.

*** UoL Alumni students only enrolling on to a Postgraduate Research programme. 20% Offset against the tuition fee payable for each year of study.

****Subject to eligibility. Reduction applied to first year’s fees only.

Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by the research proposal submitted and will be calculated on an individual basis. Any additional fees will be outlined in your offer letter, prior to accepting your place at the University of Lincoln.

Guidance for Postgraduate Fees

Postgraduate Research

Full time and part time postgraduate research students will be invoiced the published set fee each academic year enrolled, up to the point of thesis submission.

Upon first enrolment, the full set fee is payable.

All continuing students are required to re-enrol on their anniversary of their first enrolment. The relevant set full time or part time fee is payable by all continuing students on re-enrolment.

A reduced ‘writing-up’ fee in the 12 month period prior to thesis submission may be applicable subject to your progress. After your Viva Voce examination, additional fees will be payable if a second Viva Voce examination is required.

For further information and for details about funding your study, scholarships and bursaries, please see our Postgraduate Fees & Funding pages [www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/postgraduateprogrammes/feesandfunding/].

Research is conducted within six substantial research groups. Scientists in Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare explore the causes, functions and evolution of animal behaviour and the impact this has on animal welfare.

Those in Evolution and Ecology examine population dynamics and evolutionary processes at all levels of biological organisation. Researchers in Drug Design and Delivery focus on the application and efficacy of novel therapeutics, while academics working in Molecular Basis of Disease aim to understand disease at a molecular level in order to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Example Research Areas:

Management of Native River Fish

Forensic Analysis of Burnt Bones

Public Perception of Dog Breed Types.

Example Research Projects:

Peptide-guided drug delivery

Cognitive phylogenetics in parrots

Sexual selection dynamics in humans

Protein Biochemistry with the development of cardiovascular disease

Reconstruction of patterns of habitat colonisation using genetic methods.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of your time will be spent in independent study and research. You will have meetings with your academic supervisor, however the regularity of these will vary depending on your own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability and the stage of your programme.

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February or May.

In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed with your supervisor on an individual basis.

**Estimated RCUK fee for 2019/20. The University of Lincoln sets its fees in line with the Research Councils UK (RCUK) research fee support level. For home students commencing in 2019 this will be set early in the New Year. The indicative fee level from RCUK for 2018/19 is £4,260. For 2019 this fee is expected to increase in line with inflation, based on the Treasury GDP deflator.

*** UoL Alumni students only enrolling on to a Postgraduate Research programme. 20% Offset against the tuition fee payable for each year of study.

****Subject to eligibility. Reduction applied to first year’s fees only.

Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by the research proposal submitted and will be calculated on an individual basis. Any additional fees will be outlined in your offer letter, prior to accepting your place at the University of Lincoln.

Guidance for Postgraduate Fees

Postgraduate Research

Full time and part time postgraduate research students will be invoiced the published set fee each academic year enrolled, up to the point of thesis submission.

Upon first enrolment, the full set fee is payable.

All continuing students are required to re-enrol on their anniversary of their first enrolment. The relevant set full time or part time fee is payable by all continuing students on re-enrolment.

A reduced ‘writing-up’ fee in the 12 month period prior to thesis submission may be applicable subject to your progress. After your Viva Voce examination, additional fees will be payable if a second Viva Voce examination is required.

For further information and for details about funding your study, scholarships and bursaries, please see our Postgraduate Fees & Funding pages [www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/postgraduateprogrammes/feesandfunding/].

Quick Links

Throughout this degree, students may receive tuition from professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, researchers, practitioners, visiting experts or technicians, and they may also be supported in their learning by other students.

Career and Personal Development

Postgraduate-level research provides you with the opportunity to advance your knowledge and develop your practical and intellectual skills. Graduates may pursue careers in research and science-related roles, while others may choose to move on to research at doctoral level.

Career and Personal Development

Postgraduate-level research provides you with the opportunity to advance your knowledge and develop your practical and intellectual skills. Graduates may pursue careers in research and science-related roles, while others may choose to move on to research at doctoral level.

Facilities

At Lincoln, we constantly invest in our campus as we aim to provide the best learning environment for our students. Whatever the area of study, the University strives to ensure students have access to specialist equipment and resources, to develop the skills, which they may need in their future career.

Minster House, adjacent to the laboratories, provides specialist facilities for the study of animal behaviour. Our links with local, national and international partners may provide postgraduate students with opportunities for further collaboration with scientists in industry, government and academia.

Our School of Life Sciences' courses are based in The Joseph Banks Laboratories and Minster House, the first buildings of the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park. These are in addition to our fantastic purpose-built Science Building, and is a direct example of our growth as a School over recent years.